I had the opportunity to hear Uncle Bob Martin as the keynote speaker, talking about the history of software programming over the years, comparing it to other professional practices. The entire presentation was thought provoking. I thought I would pass on a few points from his presentation that made an impact on me.
First, Uncle Bob compared the computer programming profession to that of other professional trades. Many professions require continuous learning and certification in order to perform their practice. When you do your taxes you want a professional that is up to speed on the latest tax codes. You want a medical professional to keep current of diagnosis and procedures. You want an airplane mechanic to to be up to date on the requirements for the aircraft they support.
Keeping current for software tools and techniques is the responsibility of the programming professional. Like other professions, our employer is not responsible for our ongoing training. We need to take on the responsibility. Even if our employer assists with training, that is an added bonus. But, the responsibility is ours to bare.
In Bob’s perception, a savvy employer will not only embrace ongoing education, but require it. The thought could be taken to the point of having a professional license, requiring continuing education, in order to be current. In my opinion, this could prove more valuable than certification. There’s more that goes with the whole package, helping it make more sense for the stringent requirements and recommendations. We’ll continue on with those in future editorials.
Are you open to this concept? Get into the conversation with your comments.
Cheers,
Ben